FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[diehardfan]

Amazing!  How did NPU manage to score an anti-touchdown??

that's definiely karma worthy

[matblake]

Darn it.  No perfect week for me.  Oh well.  Congrats to the Jays.  Looks like they are a team to be reckoned with.  Looks like Augustana was back to their regular form.  Looks like the talk this week will be Little Brass Bell, whether Elmhurst can continue to take it to the next level by beating Augie, and how Carthage/IWU stack up.  In addition, matblake will get to see his first live CCIW football game since 1997 and it is the Little Brass Bell game!

[CardinalAlum]

Amazing!  How did NPU manage to score an anti-touchdown??

that's definiely karma worthy

definitely!

[matblake]

The more I analyze and read up (as I prepare for the broadcast tomorrow) the more I am focusing on 2 areas in the EC/Car matchup  A) Turnovers B) Special Teams
A) Turnovers were what killed Elmhurst last year at home.  Carthage was able to benefit from some costly physical and mental errors last year, which I hope won't happen tomorrow.  Turnovers by Olivet let to 17 points last week which really makes life difficult for the team turning the ball over.
B) Special Teams.  The Bluejays have benefitted from strong kicking by Tyler Lomnicki and Geoff Steele.  IMO the greatest area of improvement has been the punting game.  Steele had a few touchbacks (wind aided), but in a grudge match between arch enemies, field position takes a major role in deciding the outcomes.

Elmhurst played a much better game. Their defense forced 2 fumbles and 2 interceptions in the second half that was a killer for the Redmen. Three of the four Redmen turnovers happened inside the Elmhurst 10 yard line! Elmhurst ran the ball very well against the Carthage defense and made the big pass when needed. Congrats to Elmhurst on a very good game.

Looks like our friend jaybird was right on track. 

[matblake]

Elmhurst played a much better game. Their defense forced 2 fumbles and 2 interceptions in the second half that was a killer for the Redmen. Three of the four Redmen turnovers happened inside the Elmhurst 10 yard line! Elmhurst ran the ball very well against the Carthage defense and made the big pass when needed. Congrats to Elmhurst on a very good game.

First of all, let me say congrats to Elmhurst.  The following question is not meant to take away from their victory in any way it is just that I wasn't able to listen to the game so I am just trying to get a feel for it.  RedmenFB44 would you say that O'Boyle was forcing things at the end to try and win the game and because of forcing things committed the turnovers?  I know that it is hard to determine, but were the turnovers a result of Elmhurst's superior play or Carthage not getting the job done?  It is probably both.  jaybird and anyone else who was at the game, your thoughts would be most appreciated too!  Again, I am not trying to take anything away from Elmhurst's accomplishment tonight. 

[Mr. Ypsi]

To leave d3 for just a moment, NIU's Garrett Wolfe had 353 yards today!  I can't imagine a MAC guy winning the Heisman, but I'd bet he'll be a finalist.

I scored 9 points in pickems this week, but, without reviewing all the picks, I have a feeling that there were a whole bunch of folks scoring 13 or 14 - not a good week!

[diehardfan]

I just calculated a bunch of them... a good chunk of the leaders predicted a carthage win... you're actually doing okay.

[Mugsy]

To leave d3 for just a moment, NIU's Garrett Wolfe had 353 yards today!  I can't imagine a MAC guy winning the Heisman, but I'd bet he'll be a finalist.

I scored 9 points in pickems this week, but, without reviewing all the picks, I have a feeling that there were a whole bunch of folks scoring 13 or 14 - not a good week!

Working on it now... should be posted in the next 30 minutes or so.

[Mr. Ypsi]

I just calculated a bunch of them... a good chunk of the leaders predicted a carthage win... you're actually doing okay.

But I lost to you - like I said, not a good week!

[Pat Coleman]

What is the correct time of the NC NP game D3 says 1:00pm central and both NC and NP sites say 7:00pm.  I was ready to go to a 1:00 game that probably doesn't exist.  I was going to get all hoped up on pain meds the magic happy pills (from doctor) and watch the grass be watered at NC.

PAT!!!!! HELLOOOOOO ECHOO ECHOO AKA GREAT AND POWERFUL OZ!!!!!

http://www.noctrl.edu/x7708.xml

http://www.d3football.com/school_info.php?year=2006&school=North+Central

Try e-mail next time. I don't monitor every message board every hour of every day. If it's important, e-mail might be a consideration.

[diehardfan]

I just calculated a bunch of them... a good chunk of the leaders predicted a carthage win... you're actually doing okay.

But I lost to you - like I said, not a good week!

Psshh... eat my dust!

Remember how you said pickems had a lot to do with psychology and guessing the biases and reliability of the people making the comments? I think I'm just better at that than you. Haha...

Either that or I've actually been listening to the games! 

As long as I stay ahead of Card Alum it's a good week for me... i don't know how I'm ever going to catch up to Comet14!

[Mugsy]

So... what was the final of the NCC/NPU game?  It isn't posted anywhere yet.

[RedmenFB44]

First of all, let me say congrats to Elmhurst.  The following question is not meant to take away from their victory in any way it is just that I wasn't able to listen to the game so I am just trying to get a feel for it.  RedmenFB44 would you say that O'Boyle was forcing things at the end to try and win the game and because of forcing things committed the turnovers?  I know that it is hard to determine, but were the turnovers a result of Elmhurst's superior play or Carthage not getting the job done?  It is probably both.  jaybird and anyone else who was at the game, your thoughts would be most appreciated too!  Again, I am not trying to take anything away from Elmhurst's accomplishment tonight. 

I listened to the whole game online and it seemed like Elmhurst put a lot of pressure on O'Boyle. He ran the 19 times but they did run some option plays. I think with the pressure that the Elmhurst D got on O'Boyle made him make some rushed throws and therefore some costly interceptions. Elmhurst brought there "A" game and played a great game, I will give them credit.

[RedmenFB44]

79jaybird -

You did a great job with the game tonight. You were solo but you held the fort down. Great job and I really enjoyed listening to you. It was also kinda funny when you were making the comments about the refs and that they were doing a little "home cooking" in your words  but again congrats on your win and a great broadcast

[79jaybird]

Elmhurst 20 Carthage 13 in what was a great game, and very exciting to call/watch.
I will say that I was worried, as Carthage had 4th and Goal from our 6th yard line.
MatBlake,  O'Boyle had a great game for Carthage.  He was their leading rusher early in the game and his poised help Carthage have a chance late in the game.  I think the Elmhurst defensive line started to get penetration in the Carthage backfield late (especially the 4th qrtr) which forced O'Boyle to make quicker decisions.  It was more of EC rising to the occasion than Carthage's forced mistakes.

Elmhurst knocks off Carthage for the first time since 2003.  

Tailgater (RG)  I just want to say thank you again for your pre-game tailgate/cookout.  It was a pleasure to meet you and the other Carthage folks on hand for the game.  Thank you again for the invite.  Please do email me that article on Florida and D-3 ASAP, as I am going to my printer on Monday.

There were a few keys to the game.
A) Turnovers-  As I had a hunch,  turnovers really bit Carthage in the (well you know where).  The one that really broke the Redmen's back was the fumble inside the 10 yard line, after Carthage's defense stoned our 4th and 1 attempt.  To me, that was the game right there.  Because if Elmhurst doesn't score the TD there,  then they are only up 3.  Carthage gets that FG and instead of 4th and Goal needing 6,  Carthage could have gone for the Game winning Fg.
B) Elmhurst O-Line.  Whatever the Elmhurst O-Line had in their Wheaties this morning was gold, because that's the best O-Line domination I have seen from the blue/white all year.  The sweeps to Wilharm or Smith were working all day.
C) Elmhurst Defense--  Coming up with the big play, when they had to and battling adversity.

If the 6 remaining CCIW games are like this one here this evening, we are in for a real treat!